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Learning About Commercial HVAC Systems

Furnace Trouble? Check Your Thermostat First

29 January 2019

Isaiah Chapman

Many furnace problems are caused by complex issues that take time and expert help to resolve. However, some issues can be traced back to a relatively simple and unassuming piece of HVAC equipment—your thermostat. If your furnace is the heart of your home's heating system, then think of the thermostat as the brains behind the brawn.

A quick once-over of your thermostat can help isolate problems that stop your furnace from running properly. Here are a few things you can do to rule out your thermostat as the source of your furnace problems.

1. Check Your Settings

Sometimes fixing a furnace is as simple as toggling the thermostat's mode switch from "COOL" or "OFF" to "HEAT." Make sure your thermostat is set to the correct mode before going any further in your diagnosis. After all, using the wrong setting can stop your furnace from producing warmth.

Don't forget to take a look at your thermostat's current temperature set point. To coax the furnace into operation, raise the thermostat temperature by 5 degrees above the current room temperature. If this doesn't work, read on for other troubleshooting tips.

2. Change the Batteries

Diamonds may be forever, but your thermostat's batteries aren't. Depending on type and usage, you can up to multiple years' worth of use, but you should check your owner's manual to see how long the batteries should last for your thermostat specifically. Just about every thermostat uses batteries—even hard-wired thermostats rely on a battery backup to preserve programmed settings during a power outage.

If the thermostat display remains blank or you see a "low battery" icon on the display, then chances are you'll need to change the thermostat's batteries. Don't forget to check the batteries for signs of corrosion, since the greenish residue can also interfere with your thermostat's proper operation.

3. Double-Check the Programming

If your furnace relies on a programmable thermostat, make sure it's still operating under its pre-programmed settings. A power outage or an electrical glitch can cause some thermostats to lose their settings, sometimes in spite of battery backups. Some thermostats may even revert to their default settings after an outage.

4. Call a Pro for In-Depth Help

If all else fails, then it may be time to call on a professional to help you with furnace repair. For instance, your HVAC technician may perform further diagnosis on the furnace by bypassing the thermostat altogether. If the furnace works after bypassing the thermostat, your technician may recommend a replacement.